Mewsings: September 4, 2017 - "The majority of people who still have back doors don't let their cats go through them." - Charlene Beane

Goofy cat raises money for Harvey victims
by Melkorka Lecea

This cat has people feel-ine like opening their wallets.

People from across the nation have shelled out more than $20,000 for victims of Hurricane Harvey in exchange for a funny photo of a Brooklyn woman’s cat.

Rachel Millman, 29, of Bushwick, came up with the purr-fect idea to help people affected by the Texas storm when she realized how much her Twitter followers love photos of her 18-pound tabby cat named Jerry.

“ He’s kind of a mini-celebrity among my followers,” Millman told The Post. “So I thought how many people would actually donate to see this funny picture?”

The freelance writer tweeted the prospect on Aug. 28, writing “@ me with proof of donating to a charity for south Texas and I will dm [direct message] you a photo of Jerry behaving badly.”
Requests immediately came pouring in.

“ I felt really flabbergasted and pleasantly shocked,” said Millman.

As of Saturday, she had sent out nearly 300 photos of Jerry and tallied $23,492 in donation to charities, but expects that number to grow.

Millman wants to keep details of the photo a secret in order to keep donors’ interests piqued.
The cat mom also created second and third tier “rewards,” for $69 and $100 donations, which include a funny video of Jerry doing air guitar and a drawing of the big kitty.

Millman was touched by how many people jumped at the chance to help.

“ I feel really fortunate to be a first hand witness to so many people being good,” she said.

Mewsings: September 5, 2017 - "There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
- Albert Schweitzer

Mewsings: September 6, 2017 - "Which is more beautiful--feline movement or feline stillness?"
- Elizabeth Hamilton

Mewsings: September 7, 2017 - "The cat seldom interferes with other people's rights. His intelligence keeps him from doing many of the fool things that complicate life." - Carl Van Vechten

Mewsings: September 8, 2017 - "If a homeless cat could talk, it would probably say, 'Give me shelter, food, companionship and love, and I will be yours for life!" - Susan Easterly

Preparing your pets for Hurricane Irma
by Howard Cohen

Pet owners know one certainty: Our dogs and cats and other critters are members of the family.

If you’re staying at a secure home, or have decided to leave as Hurricane Irma approaches South Florida, emergency plans not only must focus on the traditional family unit but on the animals that depend on us for their safety. You wouldn’t leave your child behind to fend for themselves — and that applies to your pets.

Here are some tips on how to care for your pets before, during and after a storm:

Staying at home? Stay together

• Of course, bring your pets inside well in advance of deteriorating weather conditions.

• Scared cats and dogs will often seek nooks and crannies to hide in. This isn’t always a bad thing but know your hidden spaces. If there are any potential hazards (motors, electrical outlets, sharp items, stored items that could prove poisonous) close off the spaces.

• Better yet, keep your pets in their carrier and keep it near you as they will feel more secure. And so will you.

Put in some of their favorite toys or items that have your scent, like a shirt or something similarly soft and cuddly. Plus, if the worst should happen and you are forced to evacuate at a moment’s notice it will be much easier to find your frightened pet and get a move on together without adding more stressful searching of the nooks and crannies.

• Just as you would for yourself, identify a spot in your house as the safest zone — usually a room that isn’t near windows and can be closed off, like a bathroom. Stay together with your pets in that room.

• Once you have decided on a course of action make sure you can initiate it without delay. If you have all of your supplies like food and flashlights and water handy and accessible in a blackout, the same goes for your pet supplies. Searching for items when the power is out and you don’t know which drawer or cupboard you stored them in beforehand is frustrating.

Evacuating? Stay together (if you can)

• Knowles Animal Clinics is serving as a shelter for your pets as a last resort so long as space remains, said Alyssa Dominguez from its Kendall location on Sunset Drive. But you have to bring your own kennel and you can’t stay at Knowles with your pet.
Related stories from Miami Herald

• Check now with your regular vet to see if their hospital or office boards animals. Some do. But you would not be able to stay with your dog or cat.

• Miami-Dade’s Animal Services has identified two pet-friendly evacuation centers:
E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion, 10901 SW 24th St.

And Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High, 1410 County Line Rd.

Also, in Broward, there is a pet-friendly evacuation center at Millennium Middle School, 5803 NW 94th Ave., Tamarac.

Pets are otherwise not permitted at general population shelters and won’t be able to board buses bound for these shelters. Monitor your news media for updates and MiamiDade.Gov also updates its emergency status page.

These centers will accept dogs and cats as well as birds, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats and rabbits (small-sized, under 10 pounds, such as California or Dutch breeds).

But there are rules. The pets have to be current with vaccinations (you’ll be asked for their medical records). You have to have proof of residency within an evacuation zone. You’re limited to four pets and one of you must stay with your animal. Don’t forget their supplies. For more information call 311.

• Some hotels or motels will allow you to bring you pet but check first and ask if “no pet” policies are waived during emergencies. PetsWelcome.Com has a pet-friendly hotel search function. Type in your city for a list of hotels that welcome animals.

• On the road? Keep your pets in their kennels so they aren’t free to move about your vehicle. Keep your animal’s collar and tags on them at all times. Update the tags if you have moved, changed your phone number or changed any other identifying information.

• Stick to your plan. If you decide to leave, then do so. If you feel secure in your shuttered-home, stay. Be prepared. A constant change of plans can lead to stress, which your pet picks up on.

• The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that provide goods or services to the public to make reasonable modifications in their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to accommodate people with disabilities. Service animals fall under this general principle. Entities, such as hotels, that have a “no pets” policy, generally must modify the policy to allow service animals into their facilities, according to the ADA.

A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. However, a pet that provides comfort by its mere presence, doesn’t qualify.

Have an emergency kit

? You have one, right? Your pet’s isn’t that much different. Match her food and water needs to your own. This means have enough of their regular food for two weeks — non-perishable. Good plan to have readily accessible can openers. A carrier. A litter box and fresh litter. Plastic bags. Medicine and medical records for your pet in waterproof containers. An extra leash. A litter scooper.

And make sure all of their essentials are in one easy-to-grab place, like a backpack, in case you have to evacuate in a hurry.

• ID ’em. You know what your pet looks like but in an emergency sometimes it’s hard to think straight when trying to describe her. Vets advise microchipping your pet to aid in recovery. Another good idea: Have a photo of your pet with you in case you get separated. This visual reference may help your neighbors spot your missing cat or dog.

Keep your cool

We realize hurricanes, especially ones as powerful as Irma threatens to be, are terrifying. But if you panic so will your pet and that will only add to the stress level for both of you. Try as best you can to speak to your pet in a calm, soothing and reassuring voice.